Learning Exercise: The Mississippi Burning Trial

In the 1960s Civil Rights was an explosive movement. The Mississippi Burning Trial represents the violence associated with achieving equality in the United States.

Course: U.S. History

Info

Submitted by:

William Paquette

Date Last Modified:

August 04, 2009

Exercise

Instructions: CLICK "go to material." SCROLL down to the bottom of the page. CLICK "Famous Trials." Read "A Trial Account." Answer the following questions: 1. Summarize the circumstances of the crime, 2. Who were the victims and what happened to them?, 3. Who were the defendants and what were they accused of?, 4. What role did J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI play in the investigation?, 5. Summarize the testimony of the defense, 6. Summarize the testimony of the prosection, 7. How was the KKK involved?, 8. What was the jury's decision?, 9. Why was the case appealed to the Supreme Court and on what grounds?, 10. Was the Mafia involved and why?, 11. What new evidence has come forth since 2000 and how has this changed the case?, 12. What happened to the defendants? 13. What did the trial tell us about the United States in the 1960s?